US3882693A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water cooler
Assignee: RAYNE Corp
•
Filing: 1974-02-01
•
Granted: 1975-05-13
•
Expires: 1994-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A water cooler having a double-tube helically wound heatexchange coil immersed in water passing through a cooling tank. An inner tube of the coil carries refrigerant, and an outer tube surrounds and isolates the inner tube from water in the tank. The inner and outer tubes are in partial contact for improved heat transfer, but a space between the tubes provides a vent passage for refrigerant if the inner tube ruptures.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald E Hiller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:54
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F11/00; F25; F25D; F25D31/00; F25D31/002; F25D31/003; F28D; F28D7/00; F28D7/10; F28D7/14; F28F1/00; F28F1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A water cooler comprising: a container for receiving water to be chilled; and a double-tube cooling coil supported within the container to be immersed in the water to be chilled, the coil being helically wound and having an inner tube to receive a refrigerant fluid, and an outer tube which isolates the inner tube from water in the container to prevent water contamination should the inner tube fail, the outer tube having an open end venting outside the container, the inner and outer tubes having substantially uniform wall thicknesses and having cross-sections deformed into generally elliptical shape by the helical winding to place a portion of an outer surface of the inner tube in contact with a portion of an inner surface of the outer tube along the length of the helical coil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A water cooler comprising: a container for receiving water to be chilled; and a double-tube cooling coil supported within the container to be immersed in the water to be chilled, the coil being helically wound and having an inner tube to receive a refrigerant fluid, and an outer tube which isolates the inner tube from water in the container to prevent water contamination should the inner tube fail, the outer tube having an open end venting outside the container, the inner and outer tubes having substantially uniform wall thicknesses and having cross-sections deformed into generally elliptical shape by the helical winding to place a portion of an outer surface of the inner tube in contact with a portion of an inner surface of the outer tube along the length of the helical coil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The cooler defined in claim 1 and further comprising a closure cap removably secured to the container, the cap having an opening, the outer tube of the cooling coil being secured to the cap in the opening to be vented outside the container in the event of rupture of the inner tube, the cap having water inlet and outlet tubes extending therethrough into the container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cooler defined in claim 2 wherein the container is a filament reinforced plastic vessel with an opening adapted to receive the cap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
THe cooler defined in claim 3 and further comprising a sealing means releasably closing the ends of the outer tube of the cooling coil and adapted to be ejected from the tube ends upon pressurization of the tube by leaking refrigerant fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The cooler defined in claim 4 wherein the water inlet tube has a laterally opening outlet passage adjacent the top of the container, and the water outlet extends to adjacent the bottom of the container to draw cooled water from the container bottom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
The cooler defined in claim 5 and further comprising a housing enclosing the container, refrigerating means mounted in the housing and connected to the inner tube for circulating refrigerant fluid through the cooling coil, and control means including a temperature sensor supported in the container and a controller coupled to the sensor and the refrigerating means for actuating flow of refrigerant fluid at a selected water temperature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |